The Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to a 1-1 draw by visiting Congo DR in their farewell friendly game ahead of the Russia 2018 World Cup starting in June.
Owngoalnigeria.com Michael James rates the players on display for the Nigerian side in the 1-1 draw at the Adokiye Amasiemaka Stadium in Port Hacourt.
Francis Odinaka Uzoho : A reflex save in the first half from a shot in the Nigerian box showed a bit of what he can offer in the future. Impressed with his ball handling and kicks from the back. Lucky not to have given away a penalty with a poorly timed run out of his box which led to his fouling of the Congolese striker in the box. The striker was surprisingly booked for a dive…..6/10
Tyronne Ebuehi : Had a steady first half display with his pace helping him in winning of duels. He however struggled with the ball at his feet, no thanks to the bumpy nature of the pitch…..6/10
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Elderson Echiejile : Held his line steady but did nothing to aid the team in attack. Won three duels but overall didn’t appear to be willing to take the risk of joining the attack throughout the first half, which he lasted before his substitution…..4/10
William Troost-Ekong : Did well to get into a striker’s position for his first international goal for Nigeria and with his regular central defence partner Leon Balogun present he looked calm and assured…..7/10
Leon Balogun : Even when he isn’t getting involved in tackles and aerial duels, he was busy organising the defence line and with the ball at his feet, he instigated attacks from the rare for Nigeria with neat balls out of the back….. 6.5/10
Eddy Onazi: Looked out of pace and showed no connection with Joel Obi in the middle for Nigeria. The captain of the day however had a better second half display after the substitution of Obi and subsequent inclusion of Mikel Agu….6/10
Joel Obi : Started the game game brightly but struggled as the game progressed. Guilty of giving away possession cheaply and his lack of pace gifted Congo DR two good moves from the middle of the pitch….. 4/10
Oghenekaro Etebo : Looked lost on the left and didn’t really impact on the game as he would have loved playing from his favourite position in the middle. Did better in the second half following the introduction of Ola Aina…..6/10
Kelechi Iheanacho : Full of running and penetration but didn’t do enough with the ball at his feet in promising position. Claimed the assist for Nigeria’s first goal but should have done better when put through on goal…..4/10
Junior Lokosa : Shunted out wide which means bar regular and expected touches he didn’t do much to justify his 18 goal haul in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) . His major contribution for the duration he was on was winning the freekick that led to Nigeria’s first goal with a smart touch which drew the foul…..5/10
Simy Nwankwo : Almost scored with his first touch in the game but his effort unluckily came off the bar. His poor first touch didn’t help his chances of carving open goal scoring chances for himself and the team. Displayed some skills not expected for a man of his size…..6.5/10
Substitutes :
Mikel Agu : Immediately changed the possession count for Nigeria with nice little passes and confidence on the ball. Dovetailed nicely with Onazi in the middle following his introduction…..6/10
Alex Iwobi : Eager to get on the ball and try something new. Didn’t look entirely comfortable on the bumpy playing pitch. Had a steady but not spectacular game…..6/10
Ola Aina : Unlucky to have given away the penalty that led to the leveller for Congo DR as the foul happened outside the box. Did well in joining the attack unlike the man he replaced Elderson Echiejile…. 5.5/10
Ahmed Musa : Didn’t use his pace to good effect and defensively he wasn’t there for Shehu Abdullahi when he should. Had a poor game by his standards….3/10
Shehu Abdullahi : Caught out of position more than twice and with the ball at his feet, he looked uncomfortable and almost gifted Congo DR an opening…..3/10
Kenneth Omeruo : Got involved upon his introduction and didn’t look out of place with Ekong in the heart of the Nigeria’s defence…..4/10
